Tuning of percussion instruments

ABSTRACT

A tuning mechanism for percussion-type instruments having a tunable head adjacent a shell characterized by a friction-type tuning pin fitted within an aperture in the shell to frictionally engage the walls thereof and connected with the tunable head, whereby rotation of the friction-type tuning pin varies the tautness in the tunable head and retains the tautness by frictional engagement with sides of an aperture in the shell into which the pin is fitted. Percussion instruments employing the tuning mechanism and details of material and construction are also disclosed.

United States Patent 2,550,249 4/1951 Hull 84/41 1 3,215,019 11/1965Sloan... 84/411 3,482,479 12/1969 Della-Porta 84/41 1 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R. FranklinAttorney-Wofi'ord and Felsman ABSTRACT: A tuning mechanism forpercussion-type instruments having a tunable head adjacent a shellcharacterized by a friction-type tuning pin fitted within an aperture inthe shell to frictionally engage the walls thereof and connected withthe tunable-head, whereby rotation of the friction-type tuning pinvaries the tautness in the tunable head and retains the tautness byfrictional engagement with sides of an aperture in the shell into whichthe pin is fitted. Percussion instruments employing the tuning mechanismand details of material and construction are also disclosed.

Patented Dec. 14, 1971 3,626,801

TTOR/VEYS TUNING OF PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to musical instrumentsand tuning mechanisms therefor. More particularly, it relates to tuningmechanisms for percussion-type musical instrumentshaving a tunable headadjacent a shell means, and percussion-type musical instrumentsemploying same.

2. Description of the Prior Art A wide variety of specific structures isknown in the prior art for effecting tuning of percussion-type musicalinstruments. Generally, however, such tuning mechanisms have employed aplurality of attaching means for the shell, a plurality of attachingmeans for the tunable head, and one or more tensioning meanstherebetween that could be varied in length by employing nuts and bolts,or equivalent threaded structures. While such structure hasbeensatisfactory in performance, it is relatively expensive because ofthe time consuming assembly of the many pieces at each point ofattachment. Moreover, adjustment of the tautness in a tunable head hasrequired' an instrument such as a screwdriver.

Accordingly, itis an object of this invention to provide a simple,easily assembled tunable mechanism in a percussiontype musicalinstrument that can be readily tuned for use without requiring specialtools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is an isometric view of atambourine employing one embodiment ofthis invention. 3

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a side of a tambourine alongline II-II. I

FIGS. 3 and 4 are isometric views of the insert means employed in FIG.2. I

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating anotherembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating still anotherembodiment ofthis invention. a

. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Wooden shells are preferred,because they have better resonance and because they can be restored totheir original size and characteristics by treatment with a mixture ofequal parts of glycerin and alcohol.

An aperture I7 is provided in shell 15. Insert means I9 is fitted withaperture 17 to effect frictional engagement with the walls 21 ofaperture I7. Insert means 19 has a means; such as, diametral slot 23;for effecting rotation thereof within aperture 17. Insert means I9 alsohas engaging means; such as, aperture 25; for effecting a change intension in a tensioning means; such as, tension member 27; when insertmeans 19 is rotated. Tension member 27 engages both insert means I9 andtunable head I3 for adjusting tautness of the tunable head 13 inresponse to rotation of the insert means I9. As can be seen in FIG. 2,tunable head I3 is emplaced between an outer annular ring 29 and aninner ring 31 and over the top edge 33 of shell 15. Tension member 27slips over outer ring 29 holding tunable head I3 and slips into aperture25 in insert means I9 for ready assembly. Tension member 27 hasthreadlike ridges 35 on its terminal means 37 inserted in aperture 25.The threadlike ridges embed to some extent in insert means 19 to preventthe terminal means from slipping out of aperture 25.

As can be seen clearly in FIG. 2, the means for effecting rotation maycomprise a diametral slot 23-cut all or part way across the enlargedportion 39 of insert means 19. Enlarged portion 39 is largerthan'aperture I7 and larger than the insert portion 43 of insert means19 within aperture 17 in order that insert means I9 can be compressivelyfitted within the aperture in the shell means without being forcedcompletely therethrough. Insert means 19 can be readily rotated byinserting a coin into diametral slot 23, without requiring specialtools.

As can be seen in FIG. l, aperture 25 is eccentrically located withrespect to the center of insert means 19. Thus, rotation of insert means19 changes the distance from aperture 25 to the top edge 33 of shellmeans I5. Rotation in one direction increases the distance and effectsdownward movement of constant-length tension member 27, pullingdownwardly outer annular ring 29 and increasing the tautness of tunablehead I3. Conversely, rotation in the other direction moves aperture 25upwardly; decreases the distance; and, correspondingly, decreases thetautness of tunable head I3.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 the front and back of insert means I9 are illustratedisometrically. Slot 23 for effecting rotation of the insert means isillustrated in FIG. 4. Apertures 25 traverse the thickness thereof andare eccentric with respect to the concentric axes of the insert portion43 and the enlarged portion 39. As illustrated, apertures 25 arediametrically opposed. On the other hand, any number of apertures 25 maybe employed, and positioned any number of degrees apart with respect tothe center of insert means 19, as long as structural integrity ismaintained. For examples, three apertures 25 can be employed spaced 120apart, or four apertures can be employed spaced apart. Even a singleaperture can be employed, although flexibility of emplacement and thelength of time that insert means 19 can be employed is decreased.Specifically, if only a single aperture is employed, the tensioningmember 27 must always be emplaced in that aperture with attendantincrease in wear. Additionally, any time increased tension is to beefiected, the insert means must always be rotated without theavailability of additional holes for inserting tension member 27thereinto. The increased rotation made necessary thereby, tends tofrictionally smooth the'walls of aperture 17 and insert portion 43.Suchincreased wear makes necessary more frequent refinishing of thewalls of aperture I7 in the shell means 15.

Insert means 19 engages the walls 21 of aperture 17, FIG. 1, withsufficient frictional force to retain a given degree of tautness inducedinto tunable head 13. To effect sufficient frictional engagement withthe walls, insert portion 43 of insert means 19 has a diameter normallyslightly larger than the diameter of the aperture and is constructed ofmaterial having a modulus of compressibility less than the modulus ofcompressibility of the material forming the shell means. In this way,insert means I9 can be compressively inserted within aperture 17 andwill be in compression so that it frictionally engages the walls 21 withenough force to retain its position against the tautness of the tunablehead. As indicated hereinbefore, one significant advantage of employingwood for shell means 15 is that the original characteristics of wood interms of size of the aperture and original condition can be restored bytreatment with the glycerin-alcohol solution and thus preserve adequatefrictional engagement for an extended interval of time.

Insert means 19 may be constructed of an inert thermoplastic materialand fulfill the requirements of having a modulus of compressibility lessthan the modulus of compressibility of the shell means when the shellmeans is constructed of either wood, thermosetting plastic or metal.Suitable thermoplastic materials for construction of insert means 19 areeither nylon, Teflon, polypropylene, neoprene, densified polyethylene,or olystyrene.

If desired, there may be employed in the insert means an inner core ofother material, with locking means such as corrugations to preventrelative movement with respect to the remainder of the insert means.Such structures must have adequate compressible material of the insertmeans to maintain the requisite frictional engagement with the walls ofthe apertures.

Insert means 19 can be readily inserted and retained in aperture I7. Theinsert portion 43 of insert means 19 is ordinarily cylindrical.Preferably, it has a chamber 44 to facilitate insertion in aperture 17.Aperture 17 may be primarily cylindrical as illustrated in FIG. 5.Preferably, however, aperture 17 has a cross-sectional shape, asillustrated in FIG. 2, comprising an inner cylindrical portion 61 and anouter cylindrical portion 63 joined by a sloping, or frustoconicalsection 65. Outer cylindrical portion 63 is slightly smaller in diameterthan portion 61; for example by about 0.01-0.05 inch, Inner cylindricalportion 61 is still small enough to frictionally engage insert portion43 of the insert means. This structure facilitates insertion of insertmeans 19 into aperture 17 yet maintains adequate frictional engagementbetween the insert means and the walls of aperture I7 to retain itsposition and maintain a given amount of tautness in head 13. If desired,a third cylindrical portion 67 may be added outside the outercylindrical portion 63, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The insert means canexpand into third cylindrical portion 67 to minimize lateral movement inboth directions in aperture 17.

FIG. illustrates by partial cross-sectional view, another embodiment ofthe invention wherein tenninal means 37 on tension member 27 is bentupwardly to form an acute angle with the exterior of the shell means andwherein aperture 25 has a frustoconical portion 41 forming an acuteangle with the exterior of the shell means for retaining terminal means37 therewithin. Moreover, FIG. 5 illustrates a protruding shoulder 45 toserve as a means for effecting rotation of insert means 19. A side viewof such a protruding shoulder 45 is illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 also illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein theinsert means in the form of a peg means like peg 47 is frictionally heldwithin shell means 15. Specifically, peg 47 with the enlarged portion 49is compressively inserted into and through aperture 17 to protrudeoutside shell means and retains its position by frictional engagementwith the walls thereof. An elongated flexible member; such as, string51; is connected with a spring clamp 53 for engaging the tunable head13. Any other means may be employed for attaching string 51 with tunablehead 13 instead of spring clamp 53. For example, an eyelet may befastened into a portion of tunable head 13 and string 51 fastened into aportion of tunable head 13 and string 51 fastened therethrough by anysuitable fastening means. String 51 is also operatively connected withpeg 47 to have a greater or lesser portion of its length wrapped aroundpeg 47 in response to rotation thereof. Specifically, string 51 may bewrapped around peg 47 to protrude through aperture 55 therein. Tosecurely fasten string 51, a free end portion 57 may be inserted underthe portion that is wrapped around peg 47.

Aside from the materials of construction of insert means 19, thosematerials ordinarily employed in manufacturing the particular typepercussion instrument remain suitable for practice of this invention. Nounusual, expensive, or exotic materials are required in the practice ofthe invention, although such materials are not excluded where they havemerit. As indicated with respect to insert means 19, peg 47 isconstructed of material having a modulus of compressibility less thanthe modulus of compressibility of the shell means. Otherwise, asindicated hereinbefore, the same materials of construction can beemployed.

In operation of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, means foreffecting rotation of insert means 19, comprising diametral slot 23 orshoulder 45, are employed to rotate insert means 19 and effect thedesired tautness in tunable head 13. As described hereinbefore, rotationof insert means 19 changes the distance to the top of the shell meansand effects relative downward or upward movement of tension member 27 tocorrespondingly alter the tautness in tunable head 13.

In operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6, means for effecting rotationof peg 47, comprising shoulder 45, is employed to rotate peg 47 andeffect the desired tautness in tunable head 13 by increasing tension instring 51. Once the desired degree of tension has been effected, it ismaintained by frictional engagement of peg 47 with the walls of aperture17 in shell means 15.

The embodiments and principles have been described hereinbefore withrespect to a tambourine as illustrative of a simple percussion-typeinstrument employing a tunable head adjacent a shell means. The sameprinciples and construction features may be employed with otherpercussion instruments; such as, drums. Where the insert means isemployed with drums, it ordinarily will have a larger diameter than oneemployed with the tambourine. The larger diameter insert means 19effects a greater degree of stretch in the tunable head.

Specifically, when the larger diameter insert means is rotated,

the degree of eccentricity is much greater than in the tambourine anddraws the tensioning means downwardly to a greater extent, effecting agreater increase in the degree of stretch imparted to tunable head 13.The larger diameter also allows an increased degree of compression ofthe insert means to effect a larger frictional engaging force with thewalls of aperture 17 in the shell means. In similar manner, afriction-type peg means employed with drums will, ordinarily,- be of .alarger diameter than with the tambourine.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details ofconstruction and the combination and arrangement of parts may berestored to without departing from the spirit and the scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tuning mechanism for a percussion-type instrument having a tunablehead adjacent a shell means comprising:

a. an aperture in said shell means; said aperture having a longitudinalaxis that is substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls of said shellmeans;

b. insert means having its central axis substantially coincident withthe longitudinal axis of said aperture, being conformingly fitted withinsaid aperture and effecting frictional engagement with the walls thereofthat is sufficient to retain said insert means in a set position withoutrequiring threaded connection or ratchet means, said insert meansincluding:

i. means for effecting rotation thereof; and

ii. an engaging means that is spaced from the center of said insertmeansfor engaging a tensioning means at a point spaced from said centerof said insert means for effecting a change in tension of a tensioningmeans; and

c. tensioning means engaging said tunable head and said engaging meansof said. insert means for adjusting tautness of said tunable head inresponse to rotation of said insert means in said aperture; the desiredtension being retained by frictional engagement of the material of saidinsert means with the walls of saidaperture in said shell means.

2. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said insert means has aninsert portion that is primarily cylindrical and said aperture isprimarily cylindrical.

3. The tuning mechanism of claim I wherein said insert means has aninsert portion of a diameter normally slightly larger than the diameterof said aperture in said shell means, is compressively fitted withinsaid aperture, and is constructed of material having a modulus ofcompressibility less than the modulus of compressibility of said shellmeans.

4. The tuning mechanism of claim 3 wherein said material is an inertthermoplastic material.

5. The tuning mechanism of claim 4 wherein said material is eithernylon, Teflon, polypropylene, neoprene, densified polyethylene orpolystyrene.

6. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means for effectingrotation comprises a diametral slot for receiving a readily availablemeans for inducing torque.

7. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means for effectingrotation comprises a shoulder protruding from said insert means wherebysaid insert means can be rotated by hand without additional means.

8. The tuning mechanism of claim I wherein said engaging means comprisesan engaging aperture in said insert means; said engaging aperture havingan axis that is substantially parallel with the axis of said aperture insaid shell means; and

said tensioning means has a terminal means inserted within said engagingaperture in said insert means.

9. The tuning mechanism of claim 8 wherein said engaging aperture insaid insert means has sloped sidewalls forming a frustoconical sectionforming an acute angle with said shell means exterior and said terminalmeans forms an acute angle with said shell means for retention withinsaid insert means.

10. The tuning mechanism of claim 8 wherein said engaging aperture insaid insert means is cylindrical and said terminal means has threadlikeridges for retention therewithin.

11. The tuning mechanism of claim 8 wherein said insert means contains aplurality of engaging apertures.

12. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said insert means includesan exteriorly protruding peg means outside said shell means, saidtensioning means comprises an elon gated flexible member, and saidtensioning means is operatively connected with said peg means to have agreater or lesser portion of its length wrapped around said peg means inresponse to rotation of said peg means.

13. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said insert means has aninsert portion that is primarily cylindrical and said aperture comprisesan inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion slightlysmaller in diameter than said inner cylindrical portion and joined by afrustoconical section, said inner cylindrical portion being small enoughto frictionally engage said cylindrical insert portion.

14. The tuning mechanism of claim 14 wherein said aperture has a thirdcylindrical portion outside said outer cylindrical portion foraccommodating expansion of said insert portion to minimize lateralmovement of said insert means in both directions in said aperture.

15. A tunable percussion instrument comprising:

a. a shell means for effecting resonance;

b. a tunable head adjacent said shell means;

0. a plurality of apertures in said shell means; said apertures eachhaving an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls ofsaid shellmeans;

d. a plurality of insert means inserted within respective apertures insaid shell means and effecting frictional engagement with the wallsthereof that is sufficient to retain said insert means in a set positionwithout requiring threaded connection or ratchet means, said insertmeans having respective means for effecting rotation thereof andrespective engaging means that are spaced from the centers of saidinsert means for engaging respective tensioning means at respectivepoints spaced from said centers of said insert means for effecting achange in tension of a tensioning means when said insert means isrotated; said insert means having their central axes substantiallycoincident with the respective axes of said apertures in said shellmeans; and

. tensioning means engaging said tunable head and said engaging means ofsaid insert means for altering the tautness of said tunable head inresponse to rotation of said insert means, said tautness being retainedby frictional engagement of the material of said insert means with thewalls of said apertures in said shell means.

16. The percussion instrument of claim 15 wherein said engaging meanshas a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel with respectivesaid apertures in said shell means and said insert means and iseccentrically spaced from the center of said insert means for changingthe distance therefrom to the top of said shell means adjacent saidtunable head and wherein said tensioning means has a constant length;and engages said engaging means at one end and said tunable head at theother.

17. The percussion instrument of claim 15 wherein said tunable headcomprises a membrane held between two ring means, said ring meansfitting concentrically around said shell means and wherein each saidtensioning means comprises a member having an upper terminal portion forslipping over the external ring means, whereby tension may be induced bysaid tensioning means in a concentrated point and spread substantiallyuniformly over said tunable head for effecting a substantiallg uniformadjustment of tautness.

l The instrument of claim l7 wherem said percussiontype instrument is atambourine.

19. The instrument of claim 17 wherein said percussion type instrumentis a drum.

20. The percussion instrument of claim 15 wherein said insert meansincludes an exteriorly protruding peg means outside said shell means,said tensioning means comprises an elongated flexible member, and saidtensioning means is operatively connected with said peg means to have agreater or lesser portion of its length wrapped around said peg means inresponse to rotation of said peg means.

i l 0 i i

1. A tuning mechanism for a percussion-type instrument having a tunablehead adjacent a shell means comprising: a. an aperture in said shellmeans; said aperture having a longitudinal axis that is substantiallyperpendicular to the sidewalls of said shell means; b. insert meanshaving its central axis substantially coincident with the longitudinalaxis of said aperture, being conformingly fitted within said apertureand effecting frictional engagement with the walls thereof that issufficient to retain said insert means in a set position withoutrequiring threaded connection or ratchet means, said insert meansincluding: i. means for effecting rotation thereof; and ii. an engagingmeans that is spaced from the center of said insert means for engaging atensioning means at a point spaced from said center of said insert meansfor effecting a change in tension of a tensioning means; and c.tensioning means engaging said tunable head and said engaging means ofsaid insert means for adjusting tautness of said tunable head inresponse to rotaTion of said insert means in said aperture; the desiredtension being retained by frictional engagement of the material of saidinsert means with the walls of said aperture in said shell means.
 2. Thetuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said insert means has an insertportion that is primarily cylindrical and said aperture is primarilycylindrical.
 3. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said insertmeans has an insert portion of a diameter normally slightly larger thanthe diameter of said aperture in said shell means, is compressivelyfitted within said aperture, and is constructed of material having amodulus of compressibility less than the modulus of compressibility ofsaid shell means.
 4. The tuning mechanism of claim 3 wherein saidmaterial is an inert thermoplastic material.
 5. The tuning mechanism ofclaim 4 wherein said material is either nylon, Teflon, polypropylene,neoprene, densified polyethylene or polystyrene.
 6. The tuning mechanismof claim 1 wherein said means for effecting rotation comprises adiametral slot for receiving a readily available means for inducingtorque.
 7. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said means foreffecting rotation comprises a shoulder protruding from said insertmeans whereby said insert means can be rotated by hand withoutadditional means.
 8. The tuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein saidengaging means comprises an engaging aperture in said insert means; saidengaging aperture having an axis that is substantially parallel with theaxis of said aperture in said shell means; and said tensioning means hasa terminal means inserted within said engaging aperture in said insertmeans.
 9. The tuning mechanism of claim 8 wherein said engaging aperturein said insert means has sloped sidewalls forming a frustoconicalsection forming an acute angle with said shell means exterior and saidterminal means forms an acute angle with said shell means for retentionwithin said insert means.
 10. The tuning mechanism of claim 8 whereinsaid engaging aperture in said insert means is cylindrical and saidterminal means has threadlike ridges for retention therewithin.
 11. Thetuning mechanism of claim 8 wherein said insert means contains aplurality of engaging apertures.
 12. The tuning mechanism of claim 1wherein said insert means includes an exteriorly protruding peg meansoutside said shell means, said tensioning means comprises an elongatedflexible member, and said tensioning means is operatively connected withsaid peg means to have a greater or lesser portion of its length wrappedaround said peg means in response to rotation of said peg means.
 13. Thetuning mechanism of claim 1 wherein said insert means has an insertportion that is primarily cylindrical and said aperture comprises aninner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion slightlysmaller in diameter than said inner cylindrical portion and joined by afrustoconical section, said inner cylindrical portion being small enoughto frictionally engage said cylindrical insert portion.
 14. The tuningmechanism of claim 14 wherein said aperture has a third cylindricalportion outside said outer cylindrical portion for accommodatingexpansion of said insert portion to minimize lateral movement of saidinsert means in both directions in said aperture.
 15. A tunablepercussion instrument comprising: a. a shell means for effectingresonance; b. a tunable head adjacent said shell means; c. a pluralityof apertures in said shell means; said apertures each having an axisthat is substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls of said shellmeans; d. a plurality of insert means inserted within respectiveapertures in said shell means and effecting frictional engagement withthe walls thereof that is sufficient to retain said insert means in aset position without requiring threaded connection or ratchet means,said insert means having respective means for effecting rotation thereofand respective engaging means tHat are spaced from the centers of saidinsert means for engaging respective tensioning means at respectivepoints spaced from said centers of said insert means for effecting achange in tension of a tensioning means when said insert means isrotated; said insert means having their central axes substantiallycoincident with the respective axes of said apertures in said shellmeans; and e. tensioning means engaging said tunable head and saidengaging means of said insert means for altering the tautness of saidtunable head in response to rotation of said insert means, said tautnessbeing retained by frictional engagement of the material of said insertmeans with the walls of said apertures in said shell means.
 16. Thepercussion instrument of claim 15 wherein said engaging means has alongitudinal axis that is substantially parallel with respective saidapertures in said shell means and said insert means and is eccentricallyspaced from the center of said insert means for changing the distancetherefrom to the top of said shell means adjacent said tunable head andwherein said tensioning means has a constant length; and engages saidengaging means at one end and said tunable head at the other.
 17. Thepercussion instrument of claim 15 wherein said tunable head comprises amembrane held between two ring means, said ring means fittingconcentrically around said shell means and wherein each said tensioningmeans comprises a member having an upper terminal portion for slippingover the external ring means, whereby tension may be induced by saidtensioning means in a concentrated point and spread substantiallyuniformly over said tunable head for effecting a substantially uniformadjustment of tautness.
 18. The instrument of claim 17 wherein saidpercussion-type instrument is a tambourine.
 19. The instrument of claim17 wherein said percussion type instrument is a drum.
 20. The percussioninstrument of claim 15 wherein said insert means includes an exteriorlyprotruding peg means outside said shell means, said tensioning meanscomprises an elongated flexible member, and said tensioning means isoperatively connected with said peg means to have a greater or lesserportion of its length wrapped around said peg means in response torotation of said peg means.